Evaluation of Pathogen Removal in a Solar Sludge Drying Facility Using Microbial Indicators

Emily F. Shanahan, Anne Roiko, Neil W. Tindale, Michael P. Thomas, Ronald Walpole and D. İpek Kurtböke
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Emily F. Shanahan: Faculty of Science, Health and Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, 4558, Queensland, Australia
Anne Roiko: Faculty of Science, Health and Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, 4558, Queensland, Australia
Neil W. Tindale: Faculty of Science, Health and Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, 4558, Queensland, Australia
Michael P. Thomas: Sunshine Coast Water, 38 Commercial Road, Maroochydore, 4558, Queensland, Australia
Ronald Walpole: Sunshine Coast Water, 38 Commercial Road, Maroochydore, 4558, Queensland, Australia
D. İpek Kurtböke: Faculty of Science, Health and Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, 4558, Queensland, Australia

IJERPH, 2010, vol. 7, issue 2, 1-18

Abstract: South East Queensland is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia with a correspondingly rapid increase in sewage production. In response, local councils are investing in more effective and sustainable options for the treatment and reuse of domestic and industrial effluents. A novel, evaporative solar dryer system has been installed on the Sunshine Coast to convert sewage sludge into a drier, usable form of biosolids through solar radiation exposure resulting in decreased moisture concentration and pathogen reduction. Solar-dried biosolids were analyzed for selected pathogenic microbial, metal and organic contaminants at the end of different drying cycles in a collaborative study conducted with the Regional Council. Although fecal coliforms were found to be present, enteroviruses, parasites, E. coli , and Salmonella sp. were not detected in the final product. However, elevated levels of zinc and copper were still present which restricted public use of the biosolids. Dilution of the dried biosolids with green waste as well as composting of the biosolids is likely to lead to the production of an environmentally safe, Class A end-product.

Keywords: biosolids; sewage sludge; microbial indicators; human pathogenic bacteria; solar dryer (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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